Authorities in Cox’s Bazar are preparing 638 shelters ahead of the upcoming monsoon season to address potential disasters and ensure public safety.
The district disaster management committee made these decisions during a meeting held in the district administration conference room on Thursday afternoon.
Key measures include activating disaster management committees, inspecting all shelters, making them fully usable, and ensuring upazila-based emergency medical teams remain ready during cyclones. Arrangements will also be made for separate accommodation for men and women, along with cooking facilities, electricity, safe drinking water, and space for livestock.
Relief and rehabilitation officer Azad Rahman said the district has 638 shelters with a combined capacity to accommodate 591,938 people. However, as the capacity is insufficient for the entire population, educational institutions such as schools and madrasas will also be prepared for emergency use.
The Local Government Engineering Department has already prepared 61 multipurpose cyclone centres under its jurisdiction, equipped with facilities for both people and livestock.
District Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department will provide regular updates during emergencies, which will be broadcast through media outlets including Bangladesh Betar. He also said the Department of Fisheries will ensure weather updates reach fishing trawlers at sea, while awareness campaigns will be conducted to prevent hill cutting.
District and primary education officials, along with upazila-level administrators, will oversee the overall management of shelters during disasters, he added.
Officials from the Water Development Board, Department of Environment, Fisheries Department, education sector representatives, journalists, NGOs, and municipal representatives were present at the meeting.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
